Dinesh Lad Hails Tennis-Ball Cricket’s Importance In Developing Future Cricketers

February 11, 2025: The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has been giving aspiring cricketers an exciting platform to showcase their skills, and as the second season reaches its thrilling climax, the excitement around the league is palpable. The ongoing playoffs at Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane are drawing attention from across the country, and many seasoned cricketers are praising the league’s format and its impact on budding talent.

One such cricketer is Dinesh Lad, the childhood coach of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, who is a staunch advocate of tennis-ball cricket in a player’s early years. Lad, a former cricketer and recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, knows the importance of this form of cricket in shaping a player’s skills, and he emphasized how leagues like ISPL can provide young cricketers with the exposure they need to grow in the sport.

“The league has been very exciting so far. Seeing the players play in ISPL, I can only wish if such a league existed in our time as well. Tennis-ball cricket is a difficult sport, and like many, I also started my journey playing tennis-ball cricket. I like to train budding players with a tennis ball initially so as to help them hone their skills,” Lad shared.

For Lad, tennis-ball cricket is crucial in developing a cricketer’s technique, especially when it comes to improving shot execution, particularly pull shots. He further explained how playing with a tennis ball allows cricketers to better their batting skills, particularly during the rainy season when traditional cricket is not always possible.

“Tennis-ball cricket is vital for the growth of a cricketer. Most cricketers start playing with a tennis ball, and you can play with it during the rainy season as well. It helps a cricketer better their shots, especially the batsmen to better their pull-shots, among others,” Lad added.

Reflecting on the impact tennis-ball cricket had on his most famous protege, Rohit Sharma, Lad fondly recalled how Rohit used to practice with a wet tennis ball, which helped him perfect his straight and pull shots. “He used to practice with a wet tennis ball; it would skid down the lane. The way Rohit plays straight shots and then pull shots, I think it was his practice with a tennis ball that helped him better his shots,” Lad noted.

Having started as a bowler with a tennis ball before transitioning to the leather ball, Lad also sees leagues like ISPL as excellent opportunities for cricketers to improve their skills before making the transition to more competitive formats. “There are already various tournaments in leather ball cricket, but it is great to see a tennis ball league like ISPL being organized for the second consecutive year. Credit goes to Suraj Samat for initiating this league. There was a time we felt like tennis-ball cricket was over,” he said.

Lad is optimistic that the league holds tremendous potential for the development of future cricketers. While acknowledging the growing popularity of tennis-ball cricket leagues in countries like the West Indies, he believes the league could produce players capable of competing at both national and international levels. The key, according to him, is consistency and the ability to perform under pressure.

“There are possibilities that the league can produce great players who can play at the national as well as international levels. We’ve witnessed some great action, especially the bowlers have been restricting the batsmen to play big shots. In countries like West Indies, tennis cricket enjoys great popularity. Even great players like Vivian Richards also transitioned from tennis-ball cricket. If one does well consistently, then there is potential. I personally think the league carries more potential for the batsmen as they can better their pull shots, square cut, etc. with a tennis ball,” Lad stated.

As the ISPL’s second season progresses, the excitement continues to build, with the Qualifier 1 scheduled for February 12 between Majhi Mumbai and Falcon Risers Hyderabad. The season will culminate with a grand final on February 15. Fans across the country are eagerly anticipating the next generation of cricketers who may emerge from this unique platform, and for Lad, the league is a promising stepping stone for the stars of tomorrow.